Relying on Crony Capitalism Has Its Risks
A sudden return to free markets can be a harsh wake-up call for a company used to government handouts.
Crony News
Crony capitalism related news.
How to Detect Fake News
A new browser extension claims to do just that by inspecting and then rating a website for accuracy. But how do you know their decision is purely objective and not swayed by financial or other interests?
Plenty of Pork to Go Around in New Farm Bill
It’s subsidies for everyone in the new farm bill – all at the taxpayer’s expense.
It’s Time to Take Lawmaking Away from Government Agencies
Government agencies can change the interpretation of the rules and regulations they create whenever it suits their needs, effectively creating new laws. And although they can’t be challenged in court over it now, the Supreme Court may soon change that.
Top News
…of the day. No spin. No tabloid trash.
Federal Judge Rules Obamacare Overhaul Unconstitutional
(From AP News) In a 55-page opinion, U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor [US District Court for the Northern District of Texas] ruled Friday that last year’s tax cut bill knocked the constitutional foundation from under “Obamacare” by eliminating a penalty...
Trump Picks Mulvaney as Acting Chief of Staff
(From Reuters) U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday moved to end speculation that he was having a hard time finding a new chief of staff, naming his budget chief Mick Mulvaney to the top post on a temporary basis. Mulvaney,...
Weekly Standard, Conservative Magazine That Criticized Trump, Is Shutting Down
(From USA Today) The Weekly Standard, the once influential conservative magazine that has been sharply critical of President Donald Trump, will publish its final issue next week, the magazine’s publisher announced Friday. The magazine, founded by William Kristol and Fred...
China to Pause 25 Percent Tariffs on US-Made Cars
(From UPI) China said it plans to slash tariffs placed on U.S.-manufactured vehicles, amid concerns among Chinese consumers of a fallout from the ongoing trade dispute. The Customs Tariff Commission of China’s State Council said this week the government plans...
Germany Adds 3rd Gender Option for Birth Certificates, Other Documents
(From UPI) The German legislature voted Friday to include a third, neutral gender — in addition to male and female — on government forms. Under the law, Germans can choose a third option, “divers,” which means diverse or other, on...
Mueller Says FBI Not to Blame for Flynn’s False Statements
(From AP News) The special counsel’s office is pushing back at the suggestion that the FBI acted improperly in its interview of former national security adviser Michael Flynn, saying he “chose to make false statements” and did not need a...
Johnson & Johnson Accused of Hiding the Asbestos in Its Baby Powder for Decades
(From Vox) [A new report by Reuters] indicates that small amounts of asbestos have been lurking in some of the company’s talc — the substance that makes baby powder powdery — going back to the 1970s. The company allegedly didn’t...
Scott Walker Signs Bills to Limit Powers of Incoming Wisconsin Democrats
(From The Guardian) Scott Walker, the outgoing Wisconsin governor, has signed a raft of legislation passed by the Republican state legislature that restricts the power of the incoming Democratic governor and attorney general as well as limits early voting in...
Congress Moves to Blacklist Iranian Banks
(From The Washington Free Beacon) Iran hawks in Congress are in the early stages of planning an all-out campaign to blacklist, sanction, and isolate Iranian banks tied to the funding of terrorism and money laundering, according to sources and legislation...
Democrats Accused of Attempting Gerrymandering in New Jersey
(From The Business Insider) The New York Times reported that a proposal making its way through the state’s legislature — a Democratic stronghold — would amend the New Jersey constitution to require district maps to reflect how major political parties...
Sri Lanka’s Disputed PM Rajapaksa Resigns Amid Crisis
(From BBC News) Mahinda Rajapaksa has resigned as Sri Lanka’s prime minister, seven weeks after he was appointed in a surprise move that sparked a political crisis. . . . The resignation could bring to an end a nearly two-month-long...
Strasbourg Attack Suspect Killed by Police
(From The Guardian) French police have killed the suspected gunman who shot and stabbed people at Strasbourg’s Christmas market, killing three and leaving a dozen wounded. . . . [Chérif Chekatt] . . .was killed after police officers spotted him...
Opinion
Opinion from TheSorrentino.com: Pelosi says she’ll keep the government “closed forever” before funding the wall
Really? Do you promise? That would be just fantastic for about a million reasons. Sadly we’ve learned over the years the value of Ms. Pelosi’s word. We can dream however. Yes you can Ms. Pelosi! Yes you can!
Opinion from TheSorrentino.com: The middle class revolts against Macron, Pelosi, Soros types. Politics to get worse?
Pat Buchanan thinks so. If the Democrats keep acting like gaining control of the House was some kind of mandate politics might very well get worse. Also tensions around the globe are rising as the establishment, the cronies, the globalists,...
From Harpers Magazine: Donald Trump Is a Good President, One foreigner’s perspective
(From Harpers) France should leave NATO, but maybe such a step will become pointless if lack of operational funding causes NATO to disappear on its own. That would be one less thing to worry about, and a new reason to...
Beto O’Rourke: ‘I don’t know’ if I’m a progressive Democrat
(From Politico) O’Rourke’s remarks come after taking a flurry of hits from the left in recent days. The criticism — ranging from O’Rourke’s membership in the centrist New Democrat Coalition to his acceptance of campaign money from oil industry...
